Sound-Controlled Structure Connectable To A Multimedia Player

ABSTRACT

A sound-controlled structure connectable to a multimedia player includes a sound-controlled mechanism having a covering, an actuating unit, a sensing unit, and a power transmission unit; a container connected to the covering of the sound-controlled mechanism with the power transmission unit extended into the container; and a connecting mechanism received in the container and having at least one receiving slot. The connecting mechanism has a processing unit electrically connected to a connector arranged in the receiving slot, a power cord, a jack for the power transmission unit to plug in, a display unit, and two speakers. When a portable multimedia player is inserted in the receiving slot of the connecting mechanism to output image and sound, the sound-controlled mechanism is brought to continuously act in response to the sound.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sound-controlled structure, and moreparticularly to a sound-controlled structure connectable to a portablemultimedia player, so that the sound-controlled structure iscontinuously activated to act when the portable multimedia playeroperates to thereby create more fun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional sound-controlled toy includes a covering, an actuatingunit provided in the covering, a sensing unit located on an outer sideof the covering and electrically connected to the actuating unit, and abattery electrically connected to the actuating unit. When the sensingunit receives an external sound signal, the actuating unit is enabled todrive the covering to act in response to the sound signal. That is, thesound-controlled toy is controlled by sound to act.

Since the sound-controlled toy is powered by a battery that can onlyprovide limited power for the sound-controlled toy to act, it isimpossible for the sound-controlled toy to continuously act for a longperiod of time. Even if a transformer may be used to provide therequired power supply, the sound-controlled toy also relies on anexternal sound. In general, the sensing unit of the sound-controlled toycan only sense a relatively intense external sound signal to actuate thetoy. In the event the intensity of the external sound signal is weak orunstable, the sensing unit will only receive an intermittent soundsignal. Under this circumstance, the sound-controlled toy will act dullyor discontinuously without the ability of attracting children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide asound-controlled structure connectable to a portable multimedia player,so that the sound-controlled structure continuously acts in response tosound output by the multimedia player to create more fun.

To achieve the above and other objects, the sound-controlled structureof the present invention includes a sound-controlled mechanism having acovering, an actuating unit provided in the covering, a sensing unitlocated on an outer side of the covering and electrically connected tothe actuating unit, and a power transmission unit electrically connectedat a first end to the actuating unit; a container connected to thecovering of the sound-controlled mechanism with a second end of thepower transmission unit extended into the container; and a connectingmechanism received in the container. At least one receiving slot isprovided on one side of the connecting mechanism, and a processing unitis provided in the connecting mechanism. The processing unit iselectrically connected to a connector arranged in the receiving slot, apower cord, a jack for the second end of the power transmission unit toplug in, a display unit provided on another side of the connectingmechanism, and two speakers located at two lateral sides of theconnecting mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sound-controlled structureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the connection of a portable multimedia player to thesound-controlled structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows the sound-controlled structure of the present invention isactivated when the portable multimedia player operates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 that are exploded and assembledperspective views, respectively, of a sound-controlled structureconnectable to a multimedia player according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown, the sound-controlled structure includes asound-controlled mechanism 1, a container 2, and a connecting mechanism3.

The sound-controlled mechanism 1 includes a covering 11, an actuatingunit 12 located in the covering 11, a sensing unit 13 located on anouter side of the covering 11 and electrically connected to theactuating unit 12, and a power transmission unit 14 electricallyconnected at a first end to the actuating unit 12. The covering 1 may beconfigured as an animal, a character, a plant, or a geometrical figure.

The container 2 is connected to the covering 11 of the sound-controlledmechanism 1 with a second end of the power transmission unit 14 extendedinto the container 2. A window 21 is formed on one surface of thecontainer 2. In addition, two openings 22 are separately formed on twolateral surfaces of the container 2.

The connecting mechanism 3 is positioned in the container 2. At leastone receiving slot 31 is provided on one side, such as a top side, ofthe connecting mechanism 3, and a processing unit 32 is provided in theconnecting mechanism 3. The processing unit 32 is electrically connectedto a connector 33 arranged in the receiving slot 31, a power cord 34, ajack 35 for the second end of the power transmission unit 14 to plug in,a display unit 36 provided on one side, such as a front side, of theconnecting mechanism 3 corresponding to the window 21 on the container2, and two speakers 37 located at, for example, two lateral sides of theconnecting mechanism 3 corresponding to the two openings 22 on thecontainer 2.

Please now refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. To actuate the sound-controlledstructure of the present invention, first plug the second end of thepower transmission unit 14 into the jack 35 of the connecting mechanism3, and connect the power cord 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 to anindoor power socket (not shown), so that electric power is supplied tothe sound-controlled mechanism 1 and the connecting mechanism 3. Then,put a portable multimedia player 4 in the receiving slot 31 on theconnecting mechanism 3 with a mating connector 41 of the portablemultimedia player 4 electrically connected to the connector 33 arrangedin the receiving slot 31. Accordingly, when the portable multimediaplayer 4 operates to output image and sound, the output sound is playedvia the speakers 37 of the connecting mechanism 3. The portablemultimedia player 4 in the receiving slot 31 may also be charged asnecessary or used for signal transfer. When the portable multimediaplayer 4 operates, the sound output via the speakers 37 is received bythe sensing unit 13. After receiving the sound, the sensing unit 13actuates the actuating unit 12, bringing the covering 11 to act inresponse to the sound. In brief, when the portable multimedia player 4operates, the connecting mechanism 3 cooperatively actuates thesound-controlled mechanism 1 to move, making the sound-controlledstructure novel and interesting for use.

In addition to be powered via the power cord 34, the sound-controlledmechanism 1 may also be powered by one or more batteries (not shown)provided in the sound-controlled mechanism 1.

With the above arrangements, the present invention enables thesound-controlled mechanism 1 to continuously act in response to thesound output by a portable multimedia player 4 inserted in theconnecting mechanism 3 positioned in the container 2 associated with thesound-controlled mechanism 1, making the sound-controlled structure ofthe present invention novel and attractive.

The present invention has been described with a preferred embodimentthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in thedescribed embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scopeand the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only bythe appended claims.

1. A sound-controlled structure connectable to a multimedia player,comprising: a sound-controlled mechanism including a covering, anactuating unit provided in the covering, a sensing unit located on anouter side of the covering and electrically connected to the actuatingunit, and a power transmission unit electrically connected at a firstend to the actuating unit; a container connected to the covering of thesound-controlled mechanism with a second end of the power transmissionunit extended into the container; and a connecting mechanism received inthe container and having at least one receiving slot provided on oneside of the connecting mechanism, a processing unit provided in theconnecting mechanism and electrically connected to a connector arrangedin the receiving slot, a power cord, a jack for the second end of thepower transmission unit to plug in, a display unit provided on anotherside of the connecting mechanism, and two speakers located at twolateral sides of the connecting mechanism.
 2. The sound-controlledstructure connectable to a multimedia player as claimed in claim 1,wherein the covering may be differently configured as an animal, acharacter, a plant, or a geometrical figure.
 3. The sound-controlledstructure connectable to a multimedia player as claimed in claim 1,wherein the container is provided on one surface with a windowcorresponding to the display unit on the connecting mechanism, and attwo lateral surfaces with two openings corresponding to the two speakersof the connecting mechanism.